Here in Decatur, we think fall is one of the best
seasons to leave your windows open and let in the fresh, crisp air. But as you prepare
for winter, yard and house work always top the to-do
list, and one of your tasks will no
doubt be washing your windows and screens. Fall is also a good
time to determine whether you’d
like to take your window screens off
for the winter.

You’ve frequently seen
us write about how energy efficient windows are
important during the summer months for blocking heat
from getting in your home. But, energy efficiency
plays a large role in the winter months, too. So, how do screens
influence energy efficiency? What are the additional
bonuses to taking window screens off? Here are a
few points to take in to consideration:

Increased
solar heat gain. While double- and triple-pane glass helps keep the heat
inside your home in the winter, screens may actually keep
the sun’s heat from creeping in, too. After all, it may
be cold outside but sunlight will still help keep your home
warm. In fact, a Midcoast
Green Collaborative study showed that screens left
on in the winter blocked about 30-40 percent of the heat (from the sun) that
otherwise would have gone in to the home.

Prohibits
snow buildup. Winter winds can trap snow between a screen and window. Removing screens can help you avoid
this buildup.

Allows in
more natural light. Conventional screens can block the much needed natural light in the dreary winter
months. If you don’t already have high transparency screens, such as
Pella Windows and Doors’s Vivid View® and InView™ Screens, taking off your window screens can help let in as much light as you’d like.

As technology has developed, taking
off your window screens is becoming less of a necessity and
more of a style preference. In the past, pulling off
your window’s screens was typically done for windows with
single-pane glass so storm windows could be added. Storm
windows help boost efficiency during the winter.
However, when homeowners switch to double- or triple-pane glass,
they no longer need to take extra steps to ensure efficiency during extreme
weather.

To find out more about appropriate
window cleaning tips or low-maintenance, energy efficient replacement windows,
call one of our Pella professionals at 217-423-7722 or stop
by our showroom in Decatur.